Introduction to Atmospheric Flight

Dr. Guven Aerospace Engineer (P.hD)

What is Atmospheric Flight?

There are many different ways in which Aerospace engineering is associated with atmospheric flight concepts. Majority of the flight vehicles are atmospheric in nature such as passenger planes, military jets, cargo planes, balloons, helicopters and other similar craft. In addition, almost all of the space craft and rockets will pass through the atmosphere in launching stage or in the landing stage For probes landing on Mars and other planets , the atmospheric landing principles would apply.

What are the Parameters in an Atmospheric Flight?

Mostly atmospheric flight is concerned with aerodynamics which studies the flow of gases and air under various conditions. On low density atmosphere (near the space, above 400 km) you will have molecular flow while below that level you will have continuum flow. Knowing the properties of the gas will help you determine the parameters of atmospheric flight

Physical Quantities of Flowing Gas

To understand aerodynamics and the concept of atmospheric flight, it is essential to understand the physical quantities of flowing gases. These properties include: - Pressure - Density - Temperature - Flow Velocity - Stream Lines

Pressure
Pressure is the most dominant aerodynamic force that acts upon atmospheric flight. Pressure is defined as the normal force per unit area exerted on a surface due to the time rate of the change of momentum of gas molecules impacting on the surface. Pressure is shown as Newton's per meter square or as atm (atmosphere)

Density
The density of a substance is the mass of a substance per unit volume.
Hence, the unit for density is shown as kg / m^3 Density is a point by point property (just like pressure) and it can change at different points in the flow of the gas.

Temperature
Temperature is the third most important physical quantity or flow parameter when it comes to describing flows. Temperature is defined as the measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in the gas. Hence, a gas particle that is moving faster will have a higher kinetic energy and as a result it will have a higher temperature compared to a particle that is moving slowly. Especially in high speed flows, temperature can be the most important property in the flow.

Flow Velocity
Fluid is a squishy substance as compared to a solid. Hence, some parts of the fluid or gas may be flowing at a different rate of speed as compared to other parts. Thus, we consider flow velocity as a point property that can vary from point to point just like pressure, density and temperature. Flow velocity at any point B is the velocity of an infinetelysmall fluid element as it sweeps through B

 While the flow is steady, the moving element in a fluid is seen to trace a fixed path in space and this path is called the streamline of the flow. By sketching the streamlines of the flow, we can understand the flow around various objects

Streamlines

Flow Field
By knowing the pressure, density, temperature and velocity at all points in the flow, we can easily determine the flow field around an object. Velocity of the flow field ahead of the solid object is called the free stream velocity.

Aerodynamic Forces
Aerodynamic forces are caused by two basic forces that act upon them which are: - Pressure distribution on the surface - shear stress (friction) on the surface No matter how complex the flow field may be and no matter how complex the shape of the body, the only way a nature can exert an aerodynamic force is either by pressure or shear stress distribution on the body.

Aerodynamic Force Distribution on a Solid Body

If we take the force distributions of pressure and shear stress around a solid body, we will get two forces of Lift and Drag which will create a single vectored force R on the body.

Terms for Aerodynamic Forces

Freestream velocity is the flow velocity in the far field of the flow. Chord c is the linear distance from the trailing edge to the leading edge of the body. is the angle of attack between the c and the freestream velocity.

Aerodynamic Coefficients

Control Surfaces
Control Surfaces are parts of the plane that control its aerodynamic stability Flaps are used to increase the lift force on the plane Ailerons are control surfaces that control the rolling motion of the plane. Upward aileron will decrease lift and cause the plane to lean in that direction Rudder is a control surface that can turn the nose of the plane to the right or left (yawing) Elevator will turn the nose up and down Slats are used to increase lift force on the plane

Anatomy of an Airplane

Aeronautical Dynamics

Dynamics

Airfoil
Any section of the wing cut by a plane parallel to the xz plane is called an airfoil.

Airfoil Nomenclature

NACA Numbering System

NACA Numbering System for Airfoils

Usage of Airfoils in Planes

Airfoil and Angle of Attack Example

Each airfoil has a unique response to the angle of attack